Alan our Chairman is on the move to a new home

It was with great sadness that the committee received the resignation of Alan Instone, our Chairman on 5th June.

Alan was one of the prostate cancer patients who took up the challenge of forming a new support group in early 2015 and subsequently took on the role as Chairman when a management committee was formed later that year.

Under Alan’s leadership, we have seen the NHPCSG grow from just a few patients to regular monthly meetings with over 60 members including wives and partners. The NHPCSG is recognised by Prostate Cancer U.K., Macmillan Cancer Support and Tackle Prostate Cancer as providing a wide range of support, including our various social activities, for our members. The group is now a member of the Hampshire Cancer Services Partnership and is also regularly invited to attend cancer awareness and support events organised by other organisations.

Alan has taken the lead in organising the weekly exercise group at the Basingstoke Sports Centre and has been responsible for arranging many of the talks from our speakers and also in ”signposting” members to other sources of support.

With a long career in industry, Alan is very keen that the management committee follows best practice, and instigated the development of an Operations Manual that is nearing completion. This will give good guidance to current and future committee members.

Following Alan’s announcement, Martin Budd, the deputy Chairman, was asked by the committee to take over the role as Chairman. Martin is well known to most members, but a little background if you don't already know.....

Martin joined the NHPCSG towards the end of 2015 just one day after receiving his diagnosis and was co-opted onto the committee the following year. He took over the role of Treasurer in 2017 and has been the deputy chairman for the last year. He also set up and manages this web site.

It would be difficult for him to carry on as Treasurer as well Chairman, so the committee has appointed David Jannetta as our new Treasurer, with support from Keith Bunker (David and Keith were elected as committee members at our AGM in March)

On his appointment Martin said:

"The committee and I are sure that group members join me in thanking Alan for his hard work and dedication to our group and wish him and his wife Joan, many happy years in their new home."

"Taking on the role of Chairman is a difficult act to follow and I hope you are in agreement with these committee appointments following Alan’s resignation. The NHPCSG is your group, and your committee is continually looking at ways to better support you, so I welcome any comments or suggestions you may have."